Honing tool

ABSTRACT

A honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements in the honing tool.

United States Patent [191 Gillette July 9,1974

[ HONING TOOL [76] Inventor: Robert H. Gillette, 205 Pendleton Ave. No. 3, Pendleton, Ind. 46064 [22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1973 [21] App]. No.: 402,749

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 291,279, Sept. 22, 1972.

52 0.8. or. ..s1/204,51/33s 51 1m. (:1 B24d 5/00, B24d 7/00 [58] Field of Search 51/204, 338-351 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,154,893 11/1964 Greenberg et al. 51/204 3,403,481 10/1968 McDonald ..51/204 2/1972 Kramm 51/204 Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Malcolm R. McKinnon ABSTRACT v A honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements in the honing tool.

8 Claim, 21 Drawing Figures 1 HONING TOOL This is a division of application Ser. No. 291,279, filed Sept. 22, 1972.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to honing tools and, more par- 'ticularly, to an improved honing tool incorporating im proved self-retaining means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements in the honing too].

As is well known in the art, reciprocable and rotatable honing tools carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced abrasive elements (commonly known in the art as honing stones) have been utilized for many years to hone cylindrical bores in workpieces. I-Ieretofore, various means have been utilized for the purpose of mounting and retaining the abrasive elements in the honing tools, such means often including plastic, aluminum, die cast, or other materials which are utilized to hold the abrasive honing elements in the honing tool. During the honing cycle, the abrasive elements are conventionally rotated and simultaneously reciprocatedin the workpiece in abrading engagement with the workpiece surface being honedwith the result that the abrasive elements gradually wear away and become worn out. I-leretofore, difficulties have been encountered as the abrasive elements wear out becausethe plastic, aluminum, die cast or other materials utilized to mount and retain the abrasive elements in the honing tool sometimes come in contact with the surface bein honed with resultant damage to the workpiece.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned as well as other disadvantages in prior honing tools and means for mounting and retaining abrasive honing elements therein and to provide an improved honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements therein whereby a uniform surface of abrasive is presented to the surface being honed without the influence of plastic, aluminum, die cast or other materials being in contact with the surface being honed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an im proved slotted body type honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive honing elements therein which permits the body of the tool 1 to have increased wall thickness thereby increasing the strength and rigidity of the tool.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for retaining abrasive elements in honing tools which prevents the abrasive elements from becoming disassembled from the honing tool upon withdrawal of the tool from the workpiece after a honing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved honing tool having increased operating life and incorporating improved means for retaining abrasive honing elements therein whereby improvement in the quality of the honed workpieces is obtained and cost savings are effected.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved honing tool incorporating improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive elements therein which means is self-retaining and which permits increased utilization of the abrasive honing elements without scratching or smearing of the surfaces of the workpiece beinghoned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for mounting and retaining abrasive honing elements in a honing tool whereby the abrasive elements may be easily installed and replaced with a minimum expenditure of time, labor and expense.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for mounting and retaining honing elements that is relatively simple in construction, economical to manufacture and assemble, durable, eff cient and reliable in operation.

The above as well as other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the appended claims and the'accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. lis a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the sameprior to the time that the expander plate has come intofinal engagement with the abrasive stone and shell assembly;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG..2;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, taken on the line 33 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of another embodiment of the invention, showing the relative configuration of the components prior to the time that the stone and shell assembly have been installed in the hone body;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention, showing the same installed in a honing tool body and prior to the time that the stone and shell assembly has come into final engagement with the expander plate; 1

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, showing the same after the stone and shell assembly has come into contact with the expander plate;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the mountingmember of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, showing thesame with the abrasive element removed therefrom for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 16, taken on the line 17-17 thereof;

FIG. 18 is a crosssectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 16, taken on the line l8-18 thereof;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 16, taken on the line 19-I9 thereof; and

of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 thereof and is comprised of a honing tool, generally designated 20, which is adapted to be rotated and reciprocated in the bore of a workpiece in a conventional manner. The honing tool 20 includes a substantially cylindrical body 22 defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 24 each adapted to receive an abrasive stone and shell assembly generally designated 26. The honing tool 20 also includes a generally cone-shaped member 28 which is mounted for relative reciprocation within the bore 30 defined by the body 22, the member 28 being fixed to an operating rod 32 which functions to advance and retract the member 28 relative to the body 22. The members 22, 28 and 32 may be made of steel or other suitable material having and being adapted to force the stone and shell assemblies 26 radially outwardly of the slots as the member 28 moves downwardly in the bore 30, as viewed in FIG. 1. The expander plates 34 may be made of steel, plastic or other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2A, each of the stone and shell assemblies 26 is comprised of a generally channel-shaped mounting member 36 having a web portion 38 and a pair of integral flange portions 40 and 42 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 38. The mounting member 36 may be made of aluminum, steel or other suitable material having sufficientstrength and flexibility to withstand the forces exerted thereon. By way of example, the mounting member 36 may be made of extruded aluminum with the flanges and web having a thickness of 0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an abrasive element 44 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces, the abrasive element 44 being cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface 46 of the web portion 38 of the mounting member 36. The adhesive material utilized to cement the abrasive element to the web portion of the mounting member may be any cement or other adhesive material well known in the art to be suitable for adhering abrasive elements to metal or other materials.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship and the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces 52 and 54 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 56 and 58 of the flanges 40 and 42 is 4 slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34.

In accordance with the present invention, the mounting member 36 is provided with a radius 60 at the junction of the inner surface 56 of the flange 40 with the lower surface 62 of the web portion 38 and a radius 64 at the junction of the inner surface 58 of the flange 42 with the lower surface 62 of the web portion 38. The radii 60 and 64 are substantially the same and may be in the order of 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. In this embodiment of the invention, the expander plate 34 is also provided with a radius 66 at the junction of the side 68 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof and a radius 72 at the junction of the side 74 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof. The radii 66 and 72 are also preferably identical and of a dimension slightly less than the dimensions of the radii 60 and 64. For example, the radii 60 and 64 may have a dimension of 0.010 inches while the radii 66 and 72 may have a dimension of 0.005 inches so that the radii 66 and72 are relatively sharp with respect to the radii 60 and 64. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the expander plate 34 preferably extends the full width of the slot 24 for about one-fourth inch in from each end of the slot. This provides stability from tilting, the length of the stone and shell assembly preferably being about onehalf inch shorter than the length of the expander plate.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2, the tight fit of the flanges 40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 1, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates 34 press against the radii 60 and 64 formed in the underside of the channelshaped mounting member 36 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spread outwardly. as viewed in FIG. 3, and force the flanges 40 and 42 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assemblies 26 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 44 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surface 46 of the web portion 38 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so'that the honing tool presents a unifonn surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 36 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

I Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4. In this embodiment of the invention, stone and shell assemblies 126 are provided, each comprised of a mounting member 136 having a web portion 138 and in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 through may also be made of aluminum, steel or other suitable material having sufficient strength and flexibility to withstand the forces exerted thereon. By way of example, such mounting members may be made of extruded aluminum with the flange, web and rib portions having a thickness of 0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIG. 4, an abrasive element 144 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces. The abrasive element 144 is cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface 146 of the web portion 138 and to the ribs 141 and 143 of the member 136, the ribs 141 and 143 increasing the mechanical strength of the bond between the abrasive element and the mounting member. The adhesive material utilized to cement the abrasive element to the web portion 138 and the ribs 141 and 143 of the mounting member 136 may be any cement or other adhesive material well known in the art to be suitable for adhering abrasive elements to metal or other materials.

This embodiment of the invention is also adapted to be utilized in the body 22 wherein the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces of the flanges 140 and 142 is slightly less than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24. IN this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces of the flanges 140 and 142 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member 136 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34.

In this embodiment of the invention, the mounting member 136 is provided with a radius 160 at the junction of the inner surface of the flange 140 with the lower surface of the web portion 138 and a radius 164 at the junction of the inner surface of the flange 142 with the lower surface of the web portion 138. The radii 160 and 164 are substantially the same and may be to the order of 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. This embodiment of the invention is also adapted to be utilized with the expander plate 34 previously described, the expander plate 34 being provided with the radius 66 at the junction of the side 68 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof and the radius 72 at the junction of the side 74 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof. The radii 66 and 72 are also preferably identical and of a dimension slightly less than the dimensions of the radii 160 and 164. For example, the radii 160 and 164 may have a dimension of 0.010 inches while the radii 66 and 72 may have a dimension of 0.005 inches so that the radii 66 and 72 are 6 relatively sharp with respect to the radii 160 and 164 In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 126 are initially fitted over the outer end portions of the expander plates 34, the tight fit of the flanges and 142 on the outer end portions of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool body 22 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 144 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the radii and 164 formed in the underside of the mounting member 136 and cause the flanges 140 and 142 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 140 and 142 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 140 and 142 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assemblies 126 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 144 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radialdimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surfaces of the rib portions 141 and 143 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 136 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this embodiment of the invention, stone and shell assemblies 226 are provided, each comprised of g a mounting member 236 having a web portion 238, a pair of integral flange portions 240 and 242 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 38, and a pair of upstanding rib portions 241 and 243 projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of the web portion 238. As shown in FIG. 5, an abrasive element 244 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces. The abrasive element 244 is cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion 238 of the mounting member 236 and to the ribs 241 and 243 of the member 236, the ribs 241 and 243 increasing the mechanical strength of the bond between the abrasive element and the mounting member. The adhesive material utilized to cement the abrasive element tothe web portion of the mounting member may be any suitable adhesive as previously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship while the flanges 240 and 242 initially flare downwardly and outwardly from the web portion 238 so that the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces 252 and 254 of the flanges 240 and 242 is slightly greater than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 256 and 258 of the flanges 240 and 242 is slightly greater than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34. In this embodiment of the invention, the flanges are initially pinched in slightly when the mounting members 236 are inserted in the slots 24 so that the flanges 240 and 242 engage the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots to hold the mounting members in the slots.

In this embodiment of the invention, the mounting member 236 is provided with a radius 260 at the junction of the inner surface of the flange 240 with the lower surface of the web portion 238 and a radius 264 at the junction of the nner surface of the flange 242 with the lower surface of the web portion 238. The radii 260 and 264 are substantially the same and may be to the order of 0.010 inches to 0.030 inches. In this embodiment of the invention, the expander plate 34 is also provided with a radius 66, as previously described, at the junction of the side 68 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof and the radius 72 at the junction of the side 74 of the expander plate with the upper surface 70 thereof. The radii 66 and 72 are also preferably identical and of a dimension slightly less than the dimensions of the radii 260 and 264. For example, the radii 260 and 264 may have a dimension of 0.010 inches while the radii 66 and 72 may have a dimension of 0.005 inches so that the radii 66 and 72 are relatively sharp with respect to the radii 260 and 264.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 226 are initially fitted into the slots 24 in the manner previously described,

the tight fit of the flanges 240 and 242 against the Walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies in the slots 24. The honing tool body 22 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 244 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the radii 260 and 264 formed in the underside of the mounting member 236 and cause the flanges 240 and 242 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 240 and 242 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 240 and 242 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 ot prevent the stone and shell assembly 226 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 244 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surfaces of the rib portions 241 and 243 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 236 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 6. This embodiment of the invention includes the stone and shell assemblies 26 and the expander plates 34 previously described. In this embodiment of the invention, the central portions of the walls 348 and 350 of the body 322 defining the slots 324 are disposed in diverging relationship so that the central portions of the walls 348 and 350 flare downwardly and outwardly from the periphery of the body 322, as viewed in FIG. 6, and the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces 52 and 54 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 348 and 350 defining the slots 324 at the periphery of the body 322. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 56 and 58 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34 as previously described so that the mounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34. It will be undrstood that, if desired, only one of the walls defining the slots 324 may flare downwardly while the other wall may be made substantially straight. The walls defining the opposite end portions of. the slot 324 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship and the expander plate preferably extends the full width of the slot at each end thereof to provide stability from tilting as previously described.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 34 as previously described, the tight fit of the flanges 40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool body 322 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the radii 60 and 64 formed in the underside of the channel-shaped mounting member 36 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 40 and 42 against the walls 348 and 350 defining the tapered slot 324 in the body 322 thereby causing the flanges 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the walls 348 and 350 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 26 from moving out of the associated slot 324 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 44 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surface 46 of the web portion 38 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 322 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 36 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 7. This embodiment of the invention may be utilized with either the body 22 or the body 322 previously described. In this embodiment of the invention, stone and shell assemblies 426 are provided each comprised of a mounting member 436 having a web portion 438, a pair of integral flange portions 440 and 442 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 438, and a pair of upstanding rib portions 441 and 443 projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of the web portion 438, made of extruded aluminum with the flange, web and rib portions having a thickness of 0.012 to 0.016 inches. As shown in FIG. 7, an abrasive element 444 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces and cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion 438 of the mounting member 436 in the manner previously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the inner surfaces 456 and 458 of the flanges 440 and 442 taper downwardly and outwardly to provide a slight draft angle in the order of to In this embodimentof the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 456 and 458 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the, associated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34, and as the expander plate moves upwardly, as viewed in FIG. 7, the flanges 440 and 442 are forced outwardly because ofthe cam action of the surfaces 456 and 458 so as to force the outer surfaces of the flanges against the sides of the associated slot 24 or 324.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 426 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 34, the tight fit of the flanges 440 and 442 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the sides of the expander plates press against the inner tapered surfaces 456 and 458 of the flanges 440 and 442 and cause the flanges 440 and 442 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 440 and 442 against the walls defining the slots 24 or 324 in the body of the hone thereby causing the flanges 440 and 442 to bear tightly against the walls defining the slot to prevent the stone and shell assembly 426 from moving out of the associated slot upon withdrawal ofthe honing tool from the'workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 444 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surfaces of the rib portions441 and 443 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the hone body so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 436 coming in contact with the surface being honed,

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 8. This embodiment of the invention includes the expander plate 34, the stone and shell assembly 126 and the body 322 defining the slots 324.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 348 and 350 of the body 322 defining; the slots 324 are disposed in diverging relationship, as previously described, and the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces of the flanges and 142 is slightly less than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 348 and 350 defining the slots 324 at the periphery of the body 322. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces of the flanges 140 and 142 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 34 so that the mounting member 136 fits tightly over the outer end portion of the expander plate 34.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 126 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 34 as previously described, the tight fit of the flanges I40 and 142 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 144 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the sametime, the relatively sharp radii 66 and 72 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the radii and 164 formed in the underside of the mounting member 136 and cause the flanges 140 and 142 to spread outwardly and force the flanges 140 and 142 against the walls 348 and 350 defining the slot 324 in the body 322 thereby causing the flanges 140 and 142 to bear tightly against the walls 348 and 350 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 126 from moving out of the associated slot 324 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 144 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is .moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radialdimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surfaces of the rib portions of, the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 322 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 136 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. This embodiment of the invention includes the body 22 and the stone and shell assembly 26 previously described. However, in this embodiment of the invention, the outer end portion of the expander plate 534 is tapered as viewed in FIGS. 9 and 10, the taper being defined by the surfaces 556 and 558 as shown in FIG. 9.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 48 and 50 of the body 22 defining the slots 24 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship and the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24. In this embodiment of the invention, the maximum transverse distance between the inner surfaces 56 and 58 of the flanges 40 and 42 is slightly less than the thickness of the outer end portion of the associated expander plate 534 so that the mounting member 36 fits tightly over the outer end of the expander plate 534.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 26 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 534 as illustrated in FIG. 9, the tight fit of the flanges 40 and 42 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool is then inserted in thebore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 534 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 44 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the sloping surfaces 556 and 558 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the flanges 40 and 42 and cause the flanges 40 and 42 to spread outwardly, as viewed in FIG. 10, and force the flanges 40 and 42 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slots 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 40 and 42 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 26 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing. tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 44 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 534 are such that the expander plates 534 will not force the upper surface of the web portion 38 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 36 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. .1 1. This embodiment of the invention includes the body 22 and the expander plates 34 previously described, and stone and shell assemblies 626 each comprised of a generally channel-shaped mounting member 636 having a web portion 638 and a pair of integral flange portions 640 and 642 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 638. As shown in FIG. 11, an abrasive element 644 is provided which may be made of any suitable or conventional material normally employed in the honing of workpieces and cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion 638 of the mounting member 636 in the manner previously described.

In this embodiment of the invention, the flanges 640 and 642 of the mounting member 636 are each provided with inwardly directed ribs 680 and 682 adapted to bear against the flanks of the expander plate 34.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 624 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 34, the tight fit of the free end portions of the flanges 640 and 642 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The

honing tool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 34 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 644 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed and the outer end portions of the expander plate move past the ribs 680 and 682 so that the flanks of the expander plate bear against the ribs 680 and 682 and cause the flanges 640 and 642 to spread outwardly,as viewed in FIG. 11, and force the flanges 640 and 642 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 640 and 642 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 626 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 644 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 28 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 32 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 34 are such that the expander plates 34 will not force the upper surface of the web portion 638 of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 22 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 636 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 12. This embodiment of the invention includes either the body 22 or the body 322 and the stone and shell assembly 626. However, in this embodiment of the invention, expander plates 734 are provided, the outer end portions of which are tapered, as viewed in FIG. 12, the taper being defined by the surfaces 756 and 758. In addition, recesses 784 and 786 are providedadapted to receive the ribs 680 and 682 provided on the flanges 640 and 642 of the mounting member 636.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 626 are initially fitted over the outer ends of the expander plates 734, the right fit of the free end'portions of the flanges 640 and 642 on the outer end portion of the expander plates serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies thereon. The honing tool 20 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 28 is moved downwardly, as previously described, so as to force the expander plates 734 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 644 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the sloping surfaces 756 and 758 on the outer end portion of the expander plates press against the ribs 680 and 682 and the flanges 640 and 642 and cause the flanges 640 and 642 to spread outwardly, as viewed in FIG. 12, and force the flanges 640 and 642 against the walls 48 and 50 defining the slot 24 in the body 22 thereby causing the flanges 640 and 642 to bear tightly against the walls 48 and 50 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 626 from moving out of the associated slot 24 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece. In this embodiment of the invention, the ribs 680 and 682 move into the recesses 784 and 786 to assist in retracting the stone and shell assembly 626 into the slot 24. During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 644 gradually wear face of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 636 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 13 through and is comprised of a honing tool,

I generally designated 820, which is adapted to be ro-' tated and reciprocated in the bore of a workpiece in a conventional manner. The honing tool 820 includes a substantiallycylindrical body 822 defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending slots 824 each adapted to receive an abrasive stone and shell assembly generally designated 826. Thehoning tool 20 also includes a generally cone-shaped member 828 which is mounted for relative reciprocation within the bore 830 defined by the body 822, the member 828 being fixed to an operating rod 832 which functions to advance and retract the member 828 relative to the body 822. The members 822, 828 and 832 may be made of steel or other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon. The member 828 is adapted to bear against a plurality of circumferentially spaced expander plates 834 which project generally radially outwardly from the member 828, the outer end portions of the expander plates 834 being disposed within an associated slot 824 and being adapted to force the stone and shell assemblies 826 radially outwardly of the slots as the member 828 moves downwardly in the bore 830, as viewed in FIG. 14. The expander plates 834 may be made of steel, plastic or other suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the forces exerted thereon.-

In this embodiment of the invention, each of the stone and shell assemblies 826 is comprised of a generally channel-shaped mounting member 836 having a web portion 838 and a, pair of integral flange portions 840 and 842 depending in spaced relationship from the opposite sides of the web portion 838. The end portions of the mounting member 836 are also provided with upstanding rib portions 841A, 841B, 843A and 8433 which project upwardly from the end portions of the web 838.

In this embodiment of the invention, the flange portions 840 and 842 flare downwardly and outwardly and the central portion 888 of the flange 840 is flared outwardly to providea tapered recess 890 adapted to receive a tapered rib 891 provided on the central portion of the expander plate 834, the rib flaring downwardly and outwardly from the outer end of the expander plate 834, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The rib 891 is adapted to force the portion 888 of the flange 840 into a groove 892 provided in thewall 848 defining one side of the slot 824, as will be described hereinafter in greater detail. In this embodiment of the invention, an abrasive element 844 is provided which is cemented or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the web portion 838 of the mounting member 836 in the manner previously described, the ribs 841A, 8418, 843A and t 14 843B serving to increase the mechanical strength of the bond between the abrasive element and the mounting member 836.

In this embodiment of the invention, the walls 848 and 850 of the body 822 defining the slots 824 are disposed in substantially parallel relationship, the wall 848 defining the groove 852 as previously mentioned. The flanges 840 and842 initially flare downwardly and outwardly from the web 838 so that the maximum transverse distance between the outer surfaces 852 and 854 of the flanges 840 and 842 is slightly greater than the minimum transverse distance between the walls 848 and 850 defining the slots 824. In this embodiment of the invention, the surface 893 of the rib 891 is adapted to force the portion 888 of the flange 840 into the groove 892 and the maximum transverse distance between the inner surface of the portion 888 of the flange 840 is slightly less than the cross-sectional thickness of the expander plate 834 including the rib portion 89] thereof so that the rib portion 891 will force the central portion 888 into the groove 892 when the expander plate is forced into the mounting member 836.

In this embodiment of the invention the flanges 840 and 842 are initially pinched in slightly when the mounting member 836 is initially inserted in the slot 824 so that the flanges engage the wals 848 and 850 to hold the mounting member in the slot.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the stone and shell assemblies 826 are initially fitted into the slots 824 in the manner previously described, the tight fit of the flanges 840 and 842 against the walls 848 and 850 of the body 822 serving to retain the stone and shell assemblies in the slots 824. The honing tool body 822 is then inserted in the bore of a workpiece to be honed and the cone member 828 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 14, so as to force the expander plates 834 radially outwardly with the result that the expander plates force the abrasive elements 844 against the surface of the workpiece to be honed. At the same time, the surface 893 on each expander plate 834 forces the portion 888 of the flange 840 into the associated groove 892 in the body 822' and wedges the portion 888 in the groove 892 to prevent the stone and shell assembly 826 from moving out of the associated slot 824 upon withdrawal of the honing tool from the workpiece". During the honing operation, the abrasive elements 844 gradually wear away and, as the abrasive elements wear away, the cone member 828 is moved downwardly through the agency of the rod 832 so as to maintain the abrasive elements in abrading engagement with the surface of the workpiece being honed. The radial dimensions of the expander plates 834 are such that the expander plates 834 will not force the upper surfaces of the rib portions 841A 8413, 843A and 843B of the mounting member beyond the periphery of the body 822 so that the honing tool presents a uniform surface of abrasive to the surface being honed without the possibility of the mounting member 836 coming in contact with the surface being honed.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrate and described, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An abrasive stone and shell assembly for use in a honing tool, said assembly including a generally channel-shaped mounting member having a web and a pair of integral flanges projecting in spaced relationship from one side of said web, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, said mounting member also including a pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly from said web on opposite sides of said abrasive element.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanges project from said web in diverging relationship with respect to each other.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner surfaces of said flanges diverge outwardly from said web.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said flanges each being provided with longitudinally extending ribs disposed in confronting relationship and extending sustantially parallel to the plane of said web.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1, one of said flanges having an outwardly projecting portion defining a tapered recess.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 22, said ribs projecting from the opposite end portions only of said web.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 5, said integral ribs projecting from the opposite end portions only of said web.

8. An abrasive stone and shell assembly for use in a honing tool, said assembly including a generally channel-shaped mounting member having a web and a pair of integral flanges projecting in spaced diverging relationship from one side of said web, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, said mounting member being provided with predetermined radii at the 15 junctions of said flanges with said web whereby said flanges are deflectable outwardly when pressure is applied to said junction. 

1. An abrasive stone and shell assembly for use in a honing tool, said assembly including a generally channel-shaped mounting member having a web and a pair of integral flanges projecting in spaced relationship from one side of said web, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, said mounting member also including a pair of integral ribs projecting outwardly from said web on opposite sides of said abrasive element.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flanges project from said web in diverging relationship with respect to each other.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner surfaces of said flanges diverge outwardly from said web.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 1, said flanges each being provided with longitudinally extending ribs disposed in confronting relationship and extending sustantially parallel to the plane of said web.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1, one of said flanges having an outwardly projecting portion defining a tapered recess.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 22, said ribs projecting from the opposite end portions only of said web.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 5, said integral ribs projecting from the opposite end portions only of said web.
 8. An abrasive stone and shell assembly for use in a honing tool, said assembly including a generally channel-shaped mounting member having a web and a pair of integral flanges projecting in spaced diverging relationship from one side of said web, an abrasive element secured to the opposite side of said web, said mounting member being provided with predetermined radii at the junctions of said flanges with said web whereby said flanges are deflectable outwardly when pressure is applied to said junction. 